Washington Dulles International Airport is located 42km (26 miles) west of Washington.

Airport code

IAD

Airport news

A light rail link between the city centre and Washington Dulles International Airport is currently under construction, and is due to open in 2016. A new concourse is currently at the planning stage.

Transfer between terminals

An underground AeroTrain connects the main terminal with the concourses.

Driving directions

From central Washington D.C., go west on Interstate 66 to exit 67 and follow signs to Washington Dulles International Airport. From Baltimore, go south on Interstate 95 to exit 27 (Interstate 495 West - 'Capital Beltway') to exit 45A and follow signs to the airport. From Richmond, go north on Interstate 95 to exit 170B (Interstate 495) to exit 45 and follow signs to the airport.

Car rental

Car hire companies represented at Washington Dulles International Airport include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National. Courtesy telephones can be found in the ground transportation centre on the lower level of the main terminal. Shuttle buses transfer customers to the hire car pick-up areas from outside the terminal.

Public transport and taxis

Bus: The Washington Flyer coach (tel: 1 888 927 4359; www.washfly.com/coach.html) runs regular services between Washington Dulles International Airport and the nearest Metro rail station, West Falls Church, from outside arrivals door four. The journey time is 20 to 30 minutes, and the one-way fare is US$10 – tickets can be purchased at the Ground Transportation Centre ticket counter, on the arrivals level. A cheaper option is Metrobus route 5A (tel: (202) 637 7000; www.wmata.com), which runs to Rossly and L'Enfant Plaza (journey time: 50 minutes; fare: US$6).Shuttle: SuperShuttle (tel: 1 800 2583826; www.supershuttle.com) provides a door-to-door shared-ride service that also stops at Union Station. The service is available on demand from outside the terminal building.Taxi: Washington Flyer Taxicabs (tel: (703) 572 8294; www.washfly.com/Taxi.html) exclusively serve Dulles International Airport, offering a 24-hour service. The fare to central Washington D.C. is around US$65, and the journey time varies from 30 to 60 minutes according to traffic conditions.

Car parking

Hourly and daily parking is available within walking distance of the terminal. Hourly parking is located in front of the terminal, and there are two daily car parks: Garage 1 and Garage 2, which are both linked with the terminal. A free shuttle also runs between these garages and the terminal, as well as to four long-term car parks. Valet parking is available directly in front of the main terminal (tel: (703) 572 4540).

Information and help desks

Airport and Travelers Aid services (tel: 703 572 8296) are available at the information counter on the baggage reclaim level. This area is also home to the International Visitors Information Services desk (tel: 703 572 2536 or 572 2537), which provides tourist information for the area.

Airport Facilities

Money: There is one bank branch within Washington Dulles International Airport. Numerous ATMs and bureaux de change are also available within the terminal.Communications: Several internet kiosks are situated throughout Washington Dulles International Airport, and free Wi-Fi access is provided throughout. Mobile phone hire is available on concourse B. Public telephones can be found throughout the terminal.Food: There is a wide variety of bars, cafés and restaurants at Washington Dulles International Airport, ranging from fast-food outlets and pubs to full-service options.Shopping: There is a range of shops at Washington Dulles International Airport. Duty-free shopping is available for international passengers in the main terminal and on concourses B, C and D.Luggage: Left-luggage facilities and lockers are not currently available. Luggage trolleys and a porter service are on hand throughout the airport. Lost property is handled by the Washington Dulles International Airport Police (tel: (703) 572 8479).Other facilities: Among the other facilities here are mobile phone and laptop charging stations, an interfaith chapel, and a number of dedicated smoking rooms.

Conference and business facilities

Business service centres are located at the eastern (tel: (703) 572 2963) and western (tel: (703) 572 2969) ends of the upper level of the main terminal. These provide bureau de change facilities, insurance, fax, photocopying, notary and other services. There are also business service centres in concourses B, C and D.Conference facilities are not available within the terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport; but the on-site Washington Dulles Airport Marriott (tel: (703) 471 9500; www.marriott.com) has 14 meeting rooms, including a ballroom accommodating up to 520 delegates, and a fully equipped business centre.

Disabled facilities

Wheelchairs and assistance are available through airline representatives and should be arranged prior to travel. Any special requirements should also be booked through the airline at the time of booking.Among the facilities are visual paging and TDDs, disabled toilets and lifts with Braille signs. There are also car parking spaces designated for disabled passengers in the airport car parks, which are located either close to the terminal or near the shuttle bus shelter. Airport shuttle buses equipped with wheelchair lifts can be requested to transport disabled passengers to/from the terminal building (tel: (703) 572 4558).

Airport hotels

There is just one hotel at Washington Dulles International Airport, but several others are available within a 3km (2 mile) radius. There are also many other options in the surrounding area, as well as in Washington, D.C. Many of the local hotels offer shuttle services.

Washington Dulles Airport MarriottThe 368-room Washington Dulles Airport Marriott is the only hotel within the airport grounds. Set in landscaped gardens, guests here can enjoy the fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, and a choice of restaurants. Additionally, meeting and event facilities are available for hire.Dulles, 45020 Aviation DriveVirginia, United StatesTel: (703) 471 9500. Web: www.marriott.com

Comfort Inn Dulles International AirportBoasting an on-site fitness centre, the Comfort Inn is located less than 7km (4.5 miles) from Washington Dulles International Airport, and is linked by a free shuttle bus service. Free internet access is available to guests at this budget hotel.Herndon, 200 Elden StreetVirginia, United StatesTel: (703) 437 7555.Web: www.comfortinn.com

Hilton Washington DullesThe 450-room Hilton provides a free shuttle service to and from Washington Dulles International Airport. This mid-range hotel features a 24-hour business centre, indoor and outdoor pools and a choice of restaurants.Herndon, 13869 Park Center RoadVirginia, United StatesTel: (703) 478 2900. Web: www3.hilton.com

Holiday Inn Express Herndon Dulles Airport Breakfast is included in the room rate at the Holiday Inn Express, which is a short drive from Washington Dulles International Airport and within walking distance of both a shopping area and restaurants. 'Park & Fly' packages are available using the hotel's shuttle bus service. Free internet and access to the local YMCA's pool is also offered to guests.Herndon, 485 Elden StreetVirginia, United StatesTel: (703) 478 9777. Web: www.ihg.com